Welch, Among Contenders Mentioned for Attorney General, Rules Out Run

A Sept. 16 report by NBC 5’s Mary Ann Ahern lists state Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch (7th) as among possible contenders to replace sitting Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who announced last Friday that she would not seek reelection to what would have been a fifth term in office.

In a statement, Madigan said, “I am looking forward to finding new ways to do that with the passion that I have brought to my work as attorney general. I have no doubt that having the opportunity to serve the people of Illinois as their attorney general will forever be a highlight of my life. I thank the people of Illinois for placing their trust in me, and I want to thank all of those who have supported my work in elected office.”

So far, only Republican Erika Harold, “an attorney and former Miss America who ran for Congress downstate in 2013,” has announced any intentions to run for the seat. Ahern noted that Harold will likely receive significant cash from Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner.

Among possible Democratic contenders, Ahern notes that state Sen. Kwame Raoul, “who has represented Chicago’s South Side since 2004, has long eyed the position and was one of the first Democrats whose names circulated as speculation grows.”

Ahern also mentioned Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, state Rep. Ann Williams and Sen. Michael Hastings as either people whose names have been mentioned or who have expressed interest in running.

While Welch “did not explicitly say that he was looking into the position,” according to Ahern, “he also did not rule out a run.”

According to Ahern, Welch said that the Madigan’s decision was “quite unexpected” and that he was “extremely flattered that so many people have put my name forward as a possible replacement. I’m humbled. I look forward to my continued service to the constituents of my district.”

Welch posted the following statement to his Facebook page on Sept. 17:

But on his Twitter page, Welch was more explicit:

I will not be a candidate for Illinois Attorney General. At this pivotal moment in time, I must stay in the ILGA & fight Bruce Rauner!👊🏾 pic.twitter.com/JMw6uw70Ia

3 thoughts on “Welch, Among Contenders Mentioned for Attorney General, Rules Out Run”

I am so glad that IL State Representative Emanuel “Chris” Welch will not be running as IL Attorney General. If he did, what ideas can he bring to the table to reform the criminal justice system? Even though he is blaming Gov. Bruce Rauner and President Donald Trump, I am so shocked that he is not pointing the blame against House Speaker Mike Madigan for his bad decisions in Springfield.

No Democrat votes against or dares speak ill of “King Madigan”, lest you want to end your political career as you will be crushed come re-election time.
I never thought I would say this, but a very good reason to vote republican–nothing will change while Madigan still sits on the throne